COLUMBUS, Ohio-Joshua Murphy, 35, from Coolville, Athens County, was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison on May 1, 2024, for the rape of a 14-year-old girl. He was convicted of 10 counts of rape after law enforcement received reports of the assaults in March 2023.
The investigation revealed that Murphy had sexually assaulted the girl multiple times from the age of nine to 14, ceasing only when she moved away. Athens County Prosecutor Keller J. Blackburn commended law enforcement and Chief Assistant Prosecutor Liz Pepper for their efforts in securing justice for the victim.
